Device for promoting goods and/or services of a particular entity

ABSTRACT

A device for promoting the goods and/or services of a particular entity. The device is a hat in the form of an item of footwear having an appearance that is distinctive of the particular entity. The footwear may have indicia thereon or a shape that identifies the particular entity. The footwear may have an open bottom so that it can be positioned on the head of a user for promotional purposes.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/282626, filed on Mar. 9, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and improved device for promotingthe goods and/or services of a particular entity and, more particularly,to such a device in a form of a hat having the appearance of an item offootwear.

2. Description of the Background Art

Many different devices have been used to promote the goods and/orservices of a particular entity such as a manufacturer of wearingapparel (e.g., sports apparel) or other consumer goods, a professionalor other sports team, a professional or other well-known athlete orperson, or the goods and services of any other entity. Although thesedevices have generally served the purpose, they have been subject to oneor more of the following disadvantages:

-   -   1. They are poor in quality and thus do not enhance the image of        the entity;    -   2. They are not very distinctive;    -   3. They are difficult and/or expensive to manufacture;    -   4. They are not portable;    -   5. They include a two-dimensional representation of a logo or        indicia of the entity which does not stand out when viewed from        a distance and may not be easily distinguishable from other        similar devices having two-dimensional representations of a logo        or indicia of a different entity.    -   6. They do not create a unique impression for the reason that        they are similar in structure and appearance to other devices        for promoting the goods and/or services of an entity.

The new and improved promotional device of the present invention is notsubject to the above-identified disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the new and improved devicefor promoting the goods and/or services of a particular entity is a hathaving the appearance of an item of footwear of any type associated withthe particular entity and having thereon indicia used by or associatedwith the entity. The indicia may be a trademark, service mark, logo,footwear shape, color scheme or any other device that identifies thegoods and/or services of the entity and distinguishes them from thegoods and/or services of other parties.

The hat may be of any suitable construction and/or appearance. As anillustrative example, the hat may be in the form of a sneaker or sportsshoe having thereon in any suitable or desired location indicia such asa logo that is associated with the manufacturer of the sneaker or sportsshoe, or a well-known athlete that wears the same or a similar sneakeror sports shoe. Also, the hat may have the same appearance as a wellknown sneaker or sports shoe with or without any indicia such a logo orthe like.

In one embodiment, the hat is in the form of an item of footwear, suchas a shoe, having an open bottom or sole area that is flexible oradjustable so that it can be positioned on the head of an individual forpromotional purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the promotional device 10 of the present inventionis in the form of an item of footwear of any type such as a shoe 11, ofany suitable or desired appearance and/or construction having a hollowor recessed bottom area 12 that can be placed on the head of anindividual (not shown) for promotional purposes. In one embodiment, thebottom rim 13 of the shoe 11 is flexible and resilient so that it can bepositioned on the head of an individual (not shown) and retained thereonfor promotional purposes.

In an alternate embodiment, the bottom rim 13 may be flexible andprovided with a strap or belt (not shown) or other device for tighteningit and securing it on the head of an individual for promotionalpurposes.

Within the scope of the present invention, the promotional device 10 maybe of any other desired construction so as to be mounted on the head orother body portion of a user in any other suitable manner.

The shoe 11 has a shape and/or indicia 14 in any suitable locationthereon that are associated with the entity or cause to be promoted ordisplayed, e.g., a distinctive sports shoe or sneaker by a well knownmanufacturer or worn by a well known athlete. As an illustrativeexample, the indicia may be a trademark, service mark, logo, footwearshape, color scheme or any other suitable device that identifies thegoods and/or services of the entity and distinguishes them from thegoods and/or services of other parties.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that thepromotional device of the present invention is a new and improvedthree-dimensional device that is distinctive of the goods and/orservices of a particular entity and thus would be readily recognized bythe public or trade and associated with the particular entity when wornby an individual for promotional purposes. In view of the popularity ofdistinctive sports shoes, a promotional device in the form of a hathaving the appearance of a popular sports shoe would provide anexcellent vehicle for promoting the goods and/or services of an entityassociated with the sports shoe.

The entity may be a manufacturer of wearing apparel or other consumergoods, a professional or other sports team, a professional or otherwell-known athlete or person, or any other well known entity.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A device for promoting the goods and/or services of a particularentity, comprising: a hat in the form of an item of footwear having anappearance that is distinctive of the particular entity.
 2. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the footwear has indicia thereon that identifies theparticular entity.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the footwear has ashape that identifies the particular entity.
 4. The device of claim 1wherein the footwear has an open bottom so that it can be positioned onthe head of a user for promotional purposes.
 5. The device of claim 4wherein the open bottom is formed of a flexible material.
 6. The deviceof claim 4 wherein the open bottom is formed of a flexible and resilientmaterial.
 7. The device of claim 2 wherein the indicia is a logo.
 8. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein the indicia is a color scheme.
 9. The deviceof claim 2 wherein the indicia is a mark.
 10. The device of claim 2wherein the indicia is a construction feature of the footwear.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the footwear is a sports shoe or sneaker.